Perhaps no other automaker takes sartorial inspiration as seriously as Maserati. That’s especially true for the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte executive sedan, which proudly draws its inspiration from the diagonal pattern endemic to men’s neckwear. Earlier this fall, I drove the car through some of the world’s most fashionable places, from Monte Carlo for the Monaco Yacht Show, through the vineyards of the South of France, and up to Paris Fashion Week. Everywhere we went, the latest Quattroporte was in style.

The five-passenger executive sedan runs on an engine straight from the Maranello, Italy, factory of its Ferrari sister brand. Built to compete against similarly sized models from Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar, the Quattroporte comes in three trims: S, S Q4, and GTS. The S and S Q4 versions pack a 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 424 horsepower. The GTS gets a 3.8-liter V8 that makes a gleeful 523 horsepower. The S Q4 comes with all-wheel drive; the other two trims get a rear-wheel-drive system.

For each trim, Maserati offers a duo of treatments known as the “two souls of Maserati”: the chic GranLusso or the dynamic GranSport. The base model gets heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, and an 8.4-inch touch screen that runs the Maserati Touch Control Plus infotainment system with navigation. The GranLusso treatment adds a few flourishes: heated and ventilated front seats, a black leather and wood steering wheel, and dark gray Ermenegildo Zegna silk inserts for the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades, and ceiling light fixture. GranSport gets a black leather sport steering wheel with aluminum column-mounted paddle shifters and 12-way power front seats. Both treatments come with 20-inch wheels and brake calipers painted in statement-making colors.

The Quattroporte has not been rated by either of the two federal safety agencies. The 2019 model comes standard with blind spot alert and adaptive full LED headlamps with high beam assist. GranLusso and GranSport add advanced driver assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, active blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning.

The 2019 Maserati Quattroporte starts at $107,680. The S Q4 and GTS trims begin at $113,680 and $137,980, respectively.

What the experts are saying

Dynamic comfort

“Maserati was the innovator of the world’s first-ever luxury sports sedan in 1963. Fittingly, the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte embodies the same passion and race-derived performance with world-class luxury. The combination of spacious comfort blends seamlessly with sports car driving dynamics and has defined Maserati for generations. The 2019 Maserati Quattroporte delivers race-bred excitement with a choice of powerful twin-turbo V8 and V6 engines, designed by Maserati and built exclusively by Ferrari at the factory in Maranello, Italy. A top priority for Maserati has always been to ensure that each and every Quattroporte performance sedan is designed and crafted to provide world-class levels of safety and security. In that spirit, Maserati’s Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive provides optimal traction and safety in all weather conditions.”— Rich Geremia, general manager at Herb Chambers Maserati of Boston

Emotional appeal

“Maserati has been aiming to become a much higher volume and somewhat less exotic brand, so the Quattroporte’s low six-figure starting price definitely puts it in the neighborhood of its iconic German competitors like BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. However, the Quattroporte is much less advanced than the Germans, with far less in the way of infotainment, ADAS, and advanced powertrain technologies. Quattroporte’s appeal is its uniqueness, rarity, and Italian style and heritage. It’s not remotely a rational purchase, but one that plays to emotion. In the end, isn’t that what the Italians do best?” – Ed Kim, vice president of industry analysis at marketing research at consulting firm AutoPacific

Italian class

“In a class dominated by proficient German sedans, the Maserati Quattroporte is unapologetically Italian and all the better for it. From its unique exterior styling and decadent interior to its 523-horsepower, Ferrari-built twin-turbo V8, the big Maserati has an exclusivity and flair nothing else can offer. But it’s not all emotion and no substance with the Quattroporte. There’s a tamer, but still twin-turbocharged, V6 engine, and, should you live in inclement weather, you can opt for all-wheel drive, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. There’s a nicely sized touchscreen for the infotainment system, and an impressive stereo is available. And there’s a laundry list of customizable interior options, with carbon fiber, wood, multiple colors of leather for every surface and even silk, should you be so inclined. With strong rivals like Porsche’s Panamera, BMW’s 7-Series, and Audi’s S8, the less-polished and slightly quirky Maserati won’t appeal to everyone. But if you have a flair for adventure, a bold sense of style, and the desire to be different, it’s worth tracking down a Maserati dealership for a closer look.” – Kurt Niebuhr, road test editor at Edmunds.com